Created for Community

Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

‘One of the greatest tricks the enemy ever pulled on humanity, is convincing the world that he didn't exist' so said the 19th century poet Baudelaire.

In a recent talk at my theological college, I heard a variation of that quotation:
‘One of the greatest tricks the enemy ever pulled on humanity is convincing the world that division is biblical.'

That has stuck with me ever since. I mentioned earlier this week that, as part of my training, I went on a retreat and did a night walk. One of the highlights of the night walk (apart from seeing wild deer) was looking up at the majestic cedars of Lebanon. These trees are huge with a very strong root system, and among them are a range of other trees, all standing individually in their own spots but all connected by the 'mycelium network', a network where all the trees are connected to pass on information and life-giving nutrients. 

We are created for community, and I love that we see an echo of that in nature. All of us are in our different houses, workplaces, schools, and colleges, spread across the city and beyond. In the forest, no tree stands alone; if it does, it will wither and not thrive. So it is with us, human beings; we will not thrive if we are not plugged into a community. It is in community that we are seen, where we learn, grow, are prayed for, and encouraged.

I’d strongly encourage you to seek community around you and gather them around your table or gather with others round theirs. If you haven’t done so already, do please check out, sign up and go to a 'GS Community' or the equivalent in your local church. Please don't try to 'go it alone!'

Prayer - Father, thank you that we are not made to do life alone, help me to seek out community where I am, community where I can grow and flourish and bless others too.